Published By: Sayan Paul

Birthday Special: Lady Gaga's Impact on Pop Culture - Music, Fashion, and Society

Lady Gaga's influence extends far beyond her music—let's explore how!

Celebrities are everywhere—you see them on screens and in headlines, and maybe also admire them. But an icon is a whole different story. It's someone who's not only famous but also 'influential'. It’s someone the masses follow, and not just on social media, but in real life. Everything about them - from how they talk to what they wear to what they stand for - becomes a movement. And speaking about icons, Lady Gaga is inarguably one of the biggest examples of it. Because, while her music is legendary, her influence is even bigger. From her unapologetic lifestyle to her outrageous fashion to her powerful activism, she’s never been afraid to be fully herself, and that’s exactly what the world watches, listens, and follows. 

A widely popular American singer, songwriter, and actress, Lady Gaga celebrates her 39th birthday today. On this occasion, let's have a look at her unmatched impact on popular culture. 

Lady Gaga's Impact on Music 

As a pop star, Lady Gaga has undoubtedly reshaped the world of popular music. With her debut album, 'The Fame', in 2008, she introduced a fresh electro-pop sound that dominated charts worldwide. Songs like "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" played a major role in reviving electronic dance music on radio. She was named the "Queen of Pop" in a 2011 ranking by Rolling Stone based on record sales and social media metrics. The following year, she ranked 4th in VH1's Greatest Women in Music. 

Beyond her own music, Gaga has influenced an entire generation of artists to push creative boundaries and pursue authenticity. Rolling Stone's Rob Sheffield aptly said that it is "hard to remember a world where we didn't have Gaga, although we're pretty sure it was a lot more boring". In 2015, Time wrote that Gaga had "practically invented the current era of pop music as spectacle". 

(Credit: Lady Gaga)

Some of the popular artists inspired by Gaga are Miley Cyrus, Cardi B, Nicki Minaj, Ellie Goulding, Halsey, Beyoncé, Nick Jonas, Sam Smith, Noah Cyrus, Jennifer Lopez, Katherine Langford, MGMT, Allie X, and Greyson Chance. 

Lady Gaga's Impact on Fashion

After music, if there’s anything about Gaga that grabs the headlines, it’s her fashion. With her fearless and pathbreaking style, she turns every appearance into a statement. One of her most iconic moments was at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards, where she wore something that not only shocked audiences but also ignited global conversations about fashion as a medium for political and social commentary. The Times highlighted how this outfit marked "the beginning of a new era of rebellion in red carpet fashion."

Collaborations with renowned designers have further strengthened Gaga's influence in the fashion world. Her partnership with Alexander McQueen, for instance, brought his avant-garde designs into mainstream media. In the Bad Romance music video, she donned McQueen's iconic armadillo boots, bringing them into the spotlight.

(Credit: pop culture gal)

Gaga has played a pivotal role in popularizing maximalist and "weirdcore" aesthetics. The recent resurgence of medieval-inspired fashion, featuring elements like chainmail and armor-like pieces, reflects her penchant for dramatic and empowering attire. Reflecting on her relationship with fashion, Gaga has stated, "My fashion is my most prized possession... because it is a legend to the encyclopedia of my life." 

(Credit: pop culture gal)

Lady Gaga's Impact on Society 

Of course, everything is part of society, and music and fashion are included. But even besides that, Gaga's influence on society at large is fascinating, to say the least. Over the years, she has been a force for change in self-expression, inclusivity, and mental health awareness among others.

In 2011, Gaga's song "Born This Way" became an anthem for self-acceptance and human rights. Its message of embracing one's identity resonated worldwide and how! This commitment led her to co-found the Born This Way Foundation in 2012 with her mother, Cynthia Germanotta - which works to promote mental health awareness, combat bullying, and create a kinder world for young people.

(Credit: Lady Gaga)

Gaga has also been instrumental in destigmatizing mental health struggles. She has openly spoken about her personal battles, encouraging discussions and normalizing seeking help. Beyond activism, she has used fashion and public appearances to make statements on human rights. Her attire at the 2010 MTV VMAs was a protest against one of the U.S. military's policies. She once said, "I use the media to make political statements... because my music is so damn good that I can."

(Credit: My Name Is James)

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she raised $128 million for global relief efforts. She’s fiercely political, from protesting against oppression to advocating for women’s rights. She has also redefined fan engagement, creating LittleMonsters.com long before social media made it common. And she challenges gender norms through various gestures. Precisely, she has a simple message to the world: Be Unapologetically Yourself. 

Well, Lady Gaga's influence is so big that it is impossible to put it all into words. In Taichung, Taiwan, July 3 is designated as "Lady Gaga Day" marking the first day Gaga visited the country in 2011. In May 2021, West Hollywood mayor, Lindsey P. Horvath, presented Gaga with a key to the city and declared May 23 as "Born This Way Day" to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Born This Way and its cultural impact. A new genus of ferns, Gaga, and its species, G. germanotta and G. monstraparva, have been named in her honor. And various higher education institutions have offered courses on her life and career.